Probing star-forming regions with Ghana’s 32-metre radio telescop

The Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory (GRAO) operates the newly refurbished 32-metre radio telescope. Ghana’s 32-meter dish is positioned near the equator, giving it some prime advantage in observing sources in the South and in the North. It has a C-band receiver that can be used to detect specific spectral lines associated with molecular or atomic gas in the vicinity of AGNs. One key molecular line observed with the Instrument is methanol masers (CH3OH). Observations of methanol masers have revealed information about the physical conditions and kinematics of the gas surrounding star-forming regions and Active Galaxies (AGNs).

AGN and methanol maser sources observed will be presented. We intend to leverage this conference to position GRAO to actively explore observational strategies for methanol masers, AGN, and multi-wavelength surveys probing the physical conditions of black holes. Since AGNs exhibit powerful jets of relativistic particles emitting synchrotron radiation at radio frequencies, observations with the 32-metre radio telescope, can help trace and characterize these jets and their interactions with the surrounding environment. GRAO is open to collaborations in this regard.